I know I've been gone forever, sorry things came up and life got in the way. This is a short chapter to help me get in the swing of things again.

Chapter Text

It was going to take them days to sort Woodbury out. Daryl sighed to himself, Glenn had gone back to inform the rest of the group that they would not be returning for a couple of nights. He was frustrated, according to the Irish the Governor wasn't among the dead men in the woods, Merle wouldn't like that, he didn't like that. He also wanted to talk to Beth, giving her too much time thinking on his past crimes probably wouldn't help him out any.

While they were stripping the dead of their guns and equipment he noticed three of the men had their pants unzipped. He swallowed the bile as he took what the men had. Three men had a go at Emily, that would be enough to break even a strong stable women and Em had always been fragile, he had the urge to punch Merle for his stupidity and his older brother was damn lucky he wasn't around at that moment.

The Irish worked together in absolute silent, eerily guessing what the other needed without a word or even a look between them. They only spoke up at Woodbury backing Rick and Daryl when they explained who the Governor really was. Merle would have gone a long way in convincing the Woodbury residence sooner, most seemed confused as to why Merle was taking care of Em instead of Murphy, he noticed a blonde look a little miffed at the news, he'd have to ask Merle if she was gonna be a problem.

Daryl let out a heavy sigh again and began packing Woodbury's amo. the faster he got this done, the faster he could get back to the people he really cared about.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

"Let me out."

"No, sugah'"

"Let. Me. Out!" Emily's eyes flashed at him, dangerous, angry and sexy as hell.

"Nobody trusts ya, can't let ya out."

"I need to …..Ugh!" she grabbed one of his shoes and threw it across the office, " I just need to hit something. I just need to.." she growled her hands in tight fists at her side.

"And that's yer way ov' convincin' me ta let ya out?"

"Go fuck yourself Merle," her voice was low and dangerous, "You are the last person I want to be stuck in here with."

"I doubt I'm tha last." he drawled at her.

He didn't see her fist till almost the last minute, but he let her get her punch in, he deserved that and more.

"Pig," she spat at him angrily, "only thing worse that all of you are those fucking dead things."

Merle rubbed his sore jaw, ready to brace himself for another hit when an idea hit him instead. Emily raised her fist again.

"Hold on now, what if we could compromise." he ducked out of her way as she swung at him again.

"I'll let ya out."

"Why?" She stopped mid punch at his words, cocking her head to the side like a bird, she eyed him suspiciously.

"I'll let ya out, BUT, " he lifted a finger up, his eyebrows raised, "ya need to stick righ' by me and it's only ta kill them dead fucks. We got a deal?"

"I get to kill them?" she grinned, her eyes manic, reminding him of the Joker.

"Yeah shorty." He held up a finger, "but don't talk to anyone and don't wander off or its back in this cage for God only knows how damn long.'

"Fine," she scowled, "Let's go." she pushed passed him and went for the door handle shaking it impatiently.

"Whoh not yet."

She turned back to look at him, growling in anger, actually fucking growling like a rabid dog. "You said, you lying sack of.."

"You need some clothes girl." he stoped her before her tirade could pick up steam.
Em blinked at him owlishly once before looking down at herself. She picked at the ratty white t-shirt that hung to just above her knees and looked back up at him.

"I…." she blinked again, confusion on her face and for a second he saw the scared women he'd meet all those months ago running through the woods. "I had clothes." her eyebrows scrunched up and just like that the scared woman was gone and fire flashed in her eyes. "Where are my fucking clothes?" her voice hard and angry.

"I got yer bag, chill out girl." he knelt down, keeping his eyes on her and dragged her bag out from under the cot. "You been in that shirt or one like it since we got here. Old man needed to tend yer wounds." he pushed her bag over to her with his foot. "No funny business, man ain't the type."

Emily watched him through narrowed eyes, "You are all the type," her lip curled, "turn around."

"Naw, ain't happening suga. You know why." she growled at him again. " I won't watch, best I can do if ya wanna get out there."

She eyed him up and down one more time, "Fine, doesn't fucking matter anyways." and with no warning she removed her shirt and began digging into her clothing bag.

Merle averted his eyes anyway, keeping her in his peripheral vision. He had already looked through the bag, she wouldn't find anything to hurt him in there. He hoped to hell he wouldn't regret this idea.